According to a family statement, 71-year-old actress Kirstie Alley passed away from cancer. She was most known for her work on the comedy series Cheers in the 1980s and 1990s.
Her children stated, “We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away,”
For her work on the well-liked TV show as a waitress and pub manager, Alley received a Golden Globe and an Emmy award.
Alley also appeared in the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother where she spoke candidly regarding her career staring along side Hollywood actors such as John Travolta and her struggles with addiction in the past.
The Kansas-born celebrity also starred in the TV sitcom Veronica’s Closet and the Look Who’s Talking movie series.
The family statement stated that she had cancer, but did not disclose what type but said it was “only recently discovered”.
“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead,” it continued.
“As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
They also praised her “zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating”.
Alley played cocktail waitress and bar manager Rebecca Howe on the popular NBC sitcom Cheers. She quickly won over viewers as she resisted advances from Ted Danson’s womanising bar owner Sam Malone.
Her character started out as a strong, independent lady, but after numerous failed relationships—often with wealthy men—she became increasingly insecure and frustrated.
She joined the show in 1987, during the height of its success, and continued to appear until its cancellation in 1993, appearing in 147 episodes.
Alley played cocktail waitress and bar manager Rebecca Howe on the popular NBC sitcom Cheers. She quickly won over viewers as she resisted advances from Ted Danson’s womanising bar owner Sam Malone.
Her character started out as a strong, independent lady, but after numerous failed relationships—often with wealthy men—she became increasingly insecure and frustrated.
She joined the show in 1987, during the height of its success, and continued to appear until its cancellation in 1993, appearing in 147 episodes.
In a statement to Deadline, Danson said: “Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny.
“She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard,” he added, referring to having caught an old episode of Cheers on a flight this week.
“As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died,” he went on. “I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her.”
For the TV movie David’s Mother in 1993, Alley earned a second Emmy for best lead actress.
She played the lead in the sitcom Veronica’s Closet from 1997 to 2000. For her part as the owner of a lingerie store in New York City, she received extra Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
She also starred in the dark comedy about a beauty competition Drop Dead Gorgeous from 1999.
Additionally, she recently collaborated with Jamie Lee Curtis on the parody comedy-horror film Scream Queens.
We are devastated to hear the tragic news of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time. May she rest in peace.
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